Watch Jellyfish Eyes

Jellyfish Eyes is a Japanese movie that falls into the genre of fantasy, science fiction and drama. Directed by artist Takashi Murakami in his directorial debut, the movie tells the story of a young boy named Masashi who loses his father in a mysterious disaster shortly before moving with his mother to a new town. Having to start afresh, Masashi finds solace in his new pet creature, a jellyfish-like monster named Kurage-bo or Jellyfish Boy, who appears to have strange powers that are drawn from human emotions.

As Masashi tries to make friends in his new school, he discovers that several other children own similar creatures, each with unique abilities. The creatures are known as Friends and can only be seen by a select few. As he gets to know the other children, Masashi learns that a secret organization, directed from a sinister underground laboratory, is tracking the Friends and their owners. With the help of his friends, Masashi embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about the disasters that have been plaguing his town and the role of the organization in them.

The plot of the movie takes the viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with themes such as friendship, loss, grief, and love intertwined with elements of science fiction and action. The world building in Jellyfish Eyes is nothing short of impressive, with the creatures and their abilities creatively crafted to mesmerize the viewers. The creatures range from tiny insect-like creatures to giant birds with feathered wings that can fly through the air.

The film also features some stunning visuals ranging from bright and whimsical scenes to darker, more broody sequences. The cinematography beautifully captures the beauty of rural Japanese locations and the surreal nature of the creatures. The special effects used to portray the creatures and their abilities are also expertly executed and blend seamlessly with the live-action sequences.

The acting performance in the film is noteworthy as well, with the child cast delivering some exceptional performances. Takuto Sueoka, who plays the lead character of Masashi, does an excellent job in bringing the character's pain and innocence to life. Himeka Asami, who plays a classmate and Masashi's potential love interest, also delivers a memorable performance, making the most of her limited screen time. Masataka Kubota, as the school bully, is another standout performer who manages to bring depth to a rather one-dimensional character.

One of the significant features of Jellyfish Eyes is its musical score composed by Yuta Bandoh. The music in the film ranges from upbeat and cheerful to eerie and ominous, adding to the movie's overall atmosphere. The blend of jubilant chimes and strings in some of the scenes complements the child-like whimsy of the story, while the haunting choral arrangements in others evoke a sense of foreboding.

The movie's pace, however, is not evenly paced, with some sequences dragging on longer than necessary. There are also some scenes that border on the absurd, such as an extended sequence involving a dancing chicken. These moments may seem out of place and distract the viewer's attention from the main narrative.

Overall, Jellyfish Eyes is a well-constructed film that should resonate with viewers who appreciate imaginative storytelling, a mix of fantasy and science fiction elements, and breathtaking visuals. The story may have a few weak spots and pacing issues, but it more than makes up for them with its sheer inventiveness and creative expression. This movie marks a strong debut for Takashi Murakami as a director and showcases his unmistakable artistic style that thrives on colourful surrealism.

Jellyfish Eyes is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 34.